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Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Daylight
Saving Time starts on March 10th this year, so this is the perfect time to
suggest some "daylighting”opportunities for your home. Does the term
daylighting conjure scary images of something from the “Twilight” series? Architects
are now rediscovering “daylighting” particularly as a means to provide a higher
quality of light that can positively affect health and productivity while also reducing
energy usage. Architects and engineers are now using software programs to obtain
optimal daylighting benefits for their construction plans. Whether you’re
designing a new house or updating your home, here are some ideas:

Windows: Select windows with a vertical orientation
that will selectively allow more light and also diffuse sunlight at different
times of the day and year. Also, south-facing windows permit the most winter
sunlight but little direct sun during the summer. North-facing windows admit
relatively even, natural light, producing little glare and summer heat. East
and west-facing windows provide good daylight penetration in the morning and
evening, respectively, but may cause glare and heat during the summer yet contribute
little to solar heating during the winter. And lastly, keep your windows clean.

Skylights:
install a skylight for enhanced daylight or top lighting. Consider an operable
venting skylight that allows air flow and functions like a window in the roof.

Tubular
Daylighting Device image from Wikipedia

Tubular Daylighting Devices: Install a TDD that employs a
“light collector” on the roof
and admits light through a tube into the interior of the house.

Solarium, sunroom or greenhouse: Could be added to your home with a
large area of glass added between the sun room and your interior living
quarters. Low-cost high-volume-produced patio door safety glass is an
inexpensive way to accomplish this goal.

Some
low-cost DIY options: Walls near the windows should be
painted a light color to project more reflective light into the room. Also, consider strategically adding more
mirrors into your interior layout and reap the benefits of reflective light. And
lastly, rearrange your furniture at different times of year to make the most of
natural light. Simple choices such as moving your desk or favorite reading
chair closer to the window as the days grow longer can perhaps save a small bit
of energy and reward you with a natural sense of well-being.

Click
here to see Energy 101 Video: Daylighting video courtesy of the
U.S. Energy Department

If you are interested in learning more about energy
savingstrategies for your home, contact
your local ProEnergy Consultants.